For Im m ediate Release

John M itchell
Phone: 773-256-2700
Frank W atkins
202-554-5580
Email: pressdepartment@rainbowpush.org

LET'S FUND NOT CLOSE HBCUs

Statement by: Rev. Dr. Janette C. Wilson & Attorney Janice Mathis Esq.
Chicago, Illinois

February 17, 2015

Since 2008, HBCUs have lost more than $300 million in tuition revenue due to changes in
federal loan and grant programs. South Carolina State is symptomatic of the impact that many HBCUs
face as a result of federal and state cuts to higher education budgets. The direct cuts to higher education
are made more devastating by the effects of the recession, which resulted in record home foreclosures and
job loss by a large number of African American families.
The fact that the Recession grew out of a mortgage crisis made recovery for black families even
more daunting. Blacks hold a disproportionate amount of family wealth in home equity. When home
prices collapsed, the good suffered right along with the greedy. The one asset on which many were
counting to finance their childrens education the family home suddenly was under water through no
fault of their own. The plight of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) is due in part to the
recession. The Great Recession has hit HBCUs across the nation hard. Black families lost hundreds of
millions of dollars in family income and wealth during the recession, rendering them less able to
contribute to the cost of college, either as parents or alumni. The recovery was as unsatisfying as an
eggless omelet rising stock prices, but no jobs. The job losses and foreclosures in the black communities
were double the national average in some states, and more than double in others.
South Carolina State University, like many other HBCUs, survives on enrollment, tuition, federal
and state supports. There is currently a move by the South Carolina State Legislature to recommend
closing South Carolina State for financial reasons. It is intolerable that after years of a starvation diet, the
South Carolina General Assembly plans to euthanize South Carolina State University. South Carolina
legislators would do well to remember that the one positive legacy of Strom Thurmond was his abiding
support for South Carolina State.
We request that the Legislature consider as a first resort the appointment of a Comptroller or
Financial Manager as opposed to closing SCSU. We urge the members of the South Carolina State
Legislature to:
Wait until a full audit of funds received and funds lost per year as a result of cuts is completed
Lobby for more federal aid
Energize the South Carolina State Alumni
Restore cuts to Pell Grants and Parent Plus loans
It is important for our South Carolina lawmakers to cure the disease of inadequate funding, rather than kill
the patient.
-30The Rainbow PUSH Coalition is a progressive organization protecting, defending and
expanding civil rights to improve economic and educational opportunity. The organization is
headquartered at 930 E. 50th St. in Chicago. For more information about the Rainbow PUSH
Coalition, please visit www.rainbowpush.org or call (773) 373-3366.